By 9:00 a.m., the household was stirring with a newfound energy. Mitali's husband, oblivious to the storm brewing in his own home, announced his departure. "Mitali, I have to go to the city for a week. Some urgent office work has come up," he said, hurriedly packing his bag.

Mitali's heart leaped with joyous anticipation. A week! An entire week alone with her sasur ji. This was the opportunity she had been praying for. "Theek hai, ji. Aap jaldi nikal jao, varna late ho jaoge," she replied, her voice laced with a sweetness she didn't feel. As she saw him off at the door, she put on a perfect performance of a dutiful, slightly sad wife, but inside, a wicked plan was already taking shape.